Page 26 of The Ties That Bind

“Exactly. Which is why I can’t let this go. He’s backed me into a corner. He created this situation and now it’s going to be the end of him.”

“I’m hesitant to even ask you this because I can understand the position he’s put you in, but are you really willing to kill your own brother for the sake of a woman who broke your heart? Do you really think you can do it?”

“I told you,” I growled low so as not to attract attention. “It’s not just about Arabella. Jayce needs to be stopped.” I paused, weighing my next statement. Then, I told him the truth. “But yes, she’s everything, Ben.”

“Xander—”

“No, hear me out. I know we’re no good for each other, but think about it for a minute. Since we broke up the first time, there’s been no one else for me. Arabella is everything. And despite my intellect telling me I should stay away, my heart has other ideas. Fuck man,” I groaned and speared my hands through my hair and tugged. “This whole thing is dangerous. If I fail, she’s as good as dead. If I fuck up and Jayce doesn’t kill me and anything happens to her—if I ever hurt her in any way—I couldn’t live with myself.”

He rested his hand on my shoulder. “Ah shit. You love her, don’t you?”

“Do I love her?” I asked incredulously. “Fuck, how can you even ask me that? Of course I love her. Haven’t you been listening to a word I said. She’s the other half of me, all I’ve ever wanted. I’d die for her … I’d kill for her.”

I don’t know what Ben saw in my face in that moment, but whatever it was must have convinced him there was no stopping me. Nodding once, he said, “Okay, I’m in. What do you want me to do?”

And so we devised a plan. It might not work, but at least I’d die trying.

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